U.S. patent application number 17/584939 was filed with the patent office on 2022-08-11 for valve assembly failsafe.
The applicant listed for this patent is Illinois Tool Works Inc.. Invention is credited to Joseph DAVIS, Nathan OSMUN.
Application Number | 20220251997 17/584939 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-08-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220251997 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
OSMUN; Nathan ; et
al. |
August 11, 2022 |
VALVE ASSEMBLY FAILSAFE
Abstract
A valve assembly failsafe configured to be coupled to an
actuator of a coolant control regulator assembly is provided. The
valve assembly failsafe includes a wind arm, a spring that engages
the wind arm under spring tension, a latch that engages the wind
arm, a drive gear that engages the wind arm and the actuator, and a
driver that engages the latch. The valve assembly failsafe is
configured to be positioned in a set state where the latch engages
and retains the wind arm under spring tension and the drive gear
freely rotates during rotation of the actuator, and a tripped state
where the driver rotates the latch to disengage the latch from the
wind arm, causing the wind arm to rotate under the spring tension
to engage the drive gear and cause the drive gear to drive the
actuator to a default position.
Inventors: |
OSMUN; Nathan; (Edgerton,
OH) ; DAVIS; Joseph; (Archbold, OH) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Illinois Tool Works Inc. |
Glenview |
IL |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/584939 |
Filed: |
January 26, 2022 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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63168068 |
Mar 30, 2021 |
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63147851 |
Feb 10, 2021 |
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International
Class: |
F01P 7/16 20060101
F01P007/16; F16K 17/00 20060101 F16K017/00; F16K 17/38 20060101
F16K017/38; F16K 31/00 20060101 F16K031/00 |
Claims
1. A valve assembly failsafe configured to be coupled to an
actuator of a coolant control regulator assembly, the valve
assembly failsafe comprising: a housing; a spring positioned within
the housing and configured to be under spring tension; a wind arm
that engages the spring; a latch that engages the wind arm; a
driver that engages the latch; and a drive gear configured to
engage the actuator of the coolant control regulator assembly,
wherein the valve assembly failsafe is configured to be positioned
in a state selected from the group of states consisting of: a set
state, wherein the latch engages and retains the wind arm, the wind
arm does not engage the drive gear, and the drive gear freely
rotates during rotation of the actuator, and a tripped state,
wherein the wind arm is disengaged from the latch and engages the
drive gear.
2. The valve assembly failsafe of claim 1, wherein the wind arm
comprises a wind arm bearing at a spring-end of the wind arm that
engages and supports the spring, and wherein the drive gear is
mounted on the wind arm.
3. The valve assembly failsafe of claim 1, wherein the drive gear
comprises a notch, and wherein a portion of the wind arm is
configured to engage the notch of the drive gear when the valve
assembly failsafe is in the tripped state, and wherein the spring
is configured to be in communication with the drive gear via the
engagement between the wind arm and the notch.
4. The valve assembly failsafe of claim 3, wherein the spring is
configured to cause the drive gear to drive the actuator to a
default position when the valve assembly failsafe is in the tripped
state.
5. The valve assembly failsafe of claim 1 further comprising an
electrical connector, and wherein valve assembly failsafe is
configured to receive an electrical signal via the electrical
connector.
6. The valve assembly failsafe of claim 5, wherein the driver is a
wax driver.
7. The valve assembly failsafe of claim 6, wherein the wax driver
comprises a heating element, and wherein the heating element is
configured to heat the wax driver upon reception of the electrical
signal.
8. The valve assembly failsafe of claim 7, wherein the wax driver
is configured to reversibly expand when heated.
9. The valve assembly failsafe of claim 8, wherein the wax driver
is configured to expand without melting when heated by the heating
element.
10. The valve assembly failsafe of claim 8, wherein the wax driver
comprises a pin, wherein the pin is configured to be in a first
position before the wax driver is heated and to move to a second
position when the wax driver is heated.
11. The valve assembly failsafe of claim 10, wherein the pin of the
wax driver is configured to engage and rotate the latch when the
pin is in the second position, and wherein the latch is configured
to disengage from the wind arm when rotated by the pin.
12. The valve assembly failsafe of claim 11, wherein the valve
assembly failsafe is in the set state before the wax driver is
heated, and wherein the valve assembly failsafe is in the tripped
state when wax driver is heated.
13. A valve assembly failsafe configured to be coupled to an
actuator of a coolant control regulator assembly, the valve
assembly failsafe comprising: a housing comprising a reset
aperture; an electrical connector linked to the housing; a spring
positioned within the housing; a wind arm that engages the spring
and comprises a reset interface; a latch that engages the wind arm;
a driver that engages the latch; and a drive gear configured to
engage the actuator of the coolant control regulator assembly,
wherein the valve assembly failsafe is configured to be
transitioned from a set state in which the wind arm and the spring
are under spring tension, to a tripped state in which the spring is
unloaded such that the wind arm engages and rotates the drive gear,
and wherein the valve assembly failsafe is configured to be
transitioned from the tripped state back to the set state.
14. The valve assembly failsafe of claim 13, wherein the reset
interface of the wind arm is positioned within the reset
aperture.
15. The valve assembly failsafe of claim 14, wherein the valve
assembly failsafe is configured to automatically transition from
the set state to the tripped state upon reception of an electronic
signal by the electrical connector, and wherein the valve assembly
failsafe is configured to transition back from the tripped state to
the set state via rotation of the reset interface.
16. The valve assembly failsafe of claim 15, wherein the housing
further comprises a first aperture and a second aperture, and
wherein the wind arm is viewable through a first aperture when the
valve assembly failsafe is in the set state and is viewable through
a second aperture when the valve assembly failsafe is in the
tripped state.
17. The valve assembly failsafe of claim 13, wherein the driver is
a wax driver and comprises a pin and a heating element, wherein the
pin is in a first position when the valve assembly failsafe is in
the set state and is in a second position when the valve assembly
failsafe is in the tripped state, wherein the heating element is
configured to heat the wax driver and the wax driver is configured
to expand when heated, wherein the pin is configured to move from
the first position to the second position when the wax driver
expands, and wherein the pin is configured such that the pin can be
moved back to the first position when the wax driver is cooled.
18. A coolant control regulator assembly, comprising: a housing; an
actuator coupled to the housing and having a hard-stop; a plurality
of ports extending from the housing; a plurality of ball valves
positioned within the housing, each ball valve connected to one or
more of the ports; and a valve assembly failsafe mounted on the
actuator and comprising: a spring configured to be under spring
tension; a wind arm that engages the spring; a latch that engages
the wind arm; a driver that engages the latch; and a drive gear
configured to engage the actuator of the coolant control regulator
assembly, wherein the valve assembly failsafe is configured to be
positioned in a state selected from the group of states consisting
of: a set state, wherein the latch engages and retains the wind
arm, the wind arm does not engage the drive gear, and the drive
gear freely rotates during rotation of the actuator, and a tripped
state, wherein the wind arm is disengaged from the latch and
engages the drive gear, wherein the hard stop is configured to hold
the actuator in a default position, and wherein the spring tension
is sufficient to cause the drive gear to drive the actuator to the
default position, when the valve assembly failsafe is in the
tripped state.
19. The coolant control regulator assembly of claim 18, wherein an
electronic signal is sent to the driver upon a failure condition of
the coolant control regulator assembly.
20. The coolant control regulator assembly of claim 18, wherein the
hard-stop is configured such that when the actuator is in the
default position, the plurality of ball valves cooperate to provide
fluid flow through a predetermined set of ports to a predetermined
component.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of, and priority from,
U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/168,068 filed Mar. 30, 2021,
and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/147,851 filed Feb. 10,
2021, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to a coolant control
regulator and, more particularly, to a valve assembly failsafe for
a coolant control regulator valve assembly.
2. Description of the Background of the Invention
[0003] Coolant control regulators or valves are used in coolant
circuits of vehicles, such as cars or trucks, for cooling or
heating an internal combustion engine or battery. It is known in
the art to arrange a coolant control valve to regulate the coolant
through the vehicle. Some coolant control regulators can include a
ball valve with one or more seals that create open and closed
sections on the ball valve at a specific rotation.
[0004] If there is a failure of the valve control, it would be
desirable to position the valve to a default or "safe" position,
for example, that ensures fluid flow to certain components in order
to avoid larger or more complicated vehicle system failures.
Therefore, a need exists for a coolant control valve failsafe
device and methods.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one aspect, a valve assembly failsafe configured to be
coupled to an actuator of a coolant control regulator assembly is
provided. The valve assembly failsafe includes a wind arm, a spring
that engages the wind arm under spring tension, a latch that
engages the wind arm, a drive gear that engages the wind arm and
the actuator, and a driver that engages the latch. The valve
assembly failsafe is configured to be positioned in a set state
where the latch engages and retains the wind arm under spring
tension and the drive gear freely rotates during rotation of the
actuator, and a tripped state where the driver rotates the latch to
disengage the latch from the wind arm, causing the wind arm to
rotate under the spring tension to engage the drive gear and cause
the drive gear to drive the actuator to a default position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The invention will be better understood and features,
aspects, and advantages other than those set forth above will
become apparent when consideration is given to the following
detailed description thereof. Such detailed description makes
reference to the following drawings.
[0007] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a coolant control ball valve
assembly;
[0008] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a valve assembly failsafe,
according to some embodiments;
[0009] FIG. 3 is an isometric exploded view of the valve assembly
failsafe of FIG. 2;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a partial isometric view of the valve assembly
failsafe of FIG. 2 coupled to the coolant control ball valve
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a partial isometric view of the valve assembly
failsafe of FIG. 2 and the coolant control ball valve assembly of
FIG. 1 in an uncoupled state;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a topside view of the valve assembly failsafe of
FIG. 2;
[0013] FIG. 7 is an underside view of the valve assembly failsafe
of FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a partial underside view of a drive gear of the
valve assembly failsafe of FIG. 2 in a first position;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a partial underside view of the drive gear of the
valve assembly failsafe of FIG. 2 in a second position;
[0016] FIGS. 10A-10D are views of the valve assembly failsafe of
FIG. 2 moving from a set mode to a tripped mode, where FIG. 10A is
an underside view of the valve assembly failsafe in the set mode,
FIG. 10B is an underside view of the valve assembly failsafe at a
beginning of a tripped mode, FIG. 10C is an underside view of the
valve assembly failsafe at an end of the tripped mode, and FIG. 10D
is a topside view of the valve assembly failsafe at the end of the
tripped mode; and
[0017] FIG. 11 is a partial isometric view of the valve assembly
failsafe of FIG. 2 coupled to the coolant control ball valve
assembly of FIG. 1, wherein the valve assembly failsafe is engaged
by a tool.
[0018] Before the embodiments of the disclosure are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited
in its application to the details of construction and the
arrangement of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being
carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the
phraseology and terminology used herein are for the purpose of
description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of
"including" and "comprising" and variations thereof is meant to
encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as
well as additional items and equivalents thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for a coolant
control regulator or coolant control ball valve assembly comprising
a ball valve with a plurality of sealing or flow possibilities.
Specifically, the ball valve comprises multiple sealing and flow
openings/apertures that can be shared on the same spherical ball
valve surface. As a result of the ball valve, the coolant control
regulator can increase the cooling/heating mode capacity and
control multiple control circuits.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a coolant control ball valve assembly or
coolant control regulator assembly 100 for a cooling system of a
vehicle, such as a passenger motor vehicle or a truck. The control
valve assembly 100 may be used in any type of engine or vehicle
system, such as in a vehicle internal combustion engine, or part of
a hybrid or fully electric vehicle. For example, the control valve
assembly 100 may be arranged in an auxiliary circuit of such a
cooling system. Further, the control valve assembly 100 may be part
of an auxiliary circuit coolant control system, such as in line
with the transmission or a vehicle cabin heating system. It is
contemplated that the control valve assembly 100 may be connected
to any type or number of fluid circuit systems in the vehicle to
cool and/or heat any portion of the vehicle.
[0021] Referring still to FIG. 1, generally, the control valve
assembly 100 comprises a valve body 102, a first end 104, a second
end 106, and an actuator 108. The valve assembly 100 may be
supported by one or more supports 110, such as supports 110a and
110b coupled to the first end 104 and the second end 106,
respectively. The valve body 102 can comprise one or more sleeves,
112, 114 connected to each other in any known manner. Further, the
first and second sleeves 112, 114 include a plurality of ports 116
(such as inlet or outlet ports) positioned circumferentially around
the sleeves 112, 114. Furthermore, in some embodiments, each of the
first and second sleeves 112, 114 can include one or more modular
housings 118. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the first sleeve 112
includes two housings 118 and the second sleeve includes one
housing 118. It should be noted, however, that the control valve
assembly 100 may include more or fewer sleeves 112, 114, more or
fewer ports 116, and/or more or fewer housings 118 than
illustrated. For example, in some applications, the control valve
assembly 100 can include a single sleeve 112 comprising multiple
modular housings 118, or two or more sleeves 112, 114 comprising
two or more connected modular housings 118.
[0022] Within each sleeve 112, 114, the control valve assembly 100
can include one or more ball valves (not shown). More specifically,
in some embodiments, each modular housing 118 of a respective
sleeve 112, 114 includes an internal cavity with a ball valve
positioned therein. For example, the first sleeve 112 can include
two modular housings 118, containing a first ball valve and a
second ball valve, respectively, and the second sleeve 114 can
include another housing 118, containing a third ball valve therein.
Each of the ball valves includes a plurality of apertures that can
align with the plurality of ports 116, based on a position of the
ball valve, to direct fluid into and out of the valve body 102 and,
thus, throughout the vehicle. Generally, all of the ball valves may
be substantially similar to each other except for the placement of
the plurality of apertures.
[0023] Referring still to FIG. 1, the actuator 108 can be
positioned at the first end 104 or the second end 106. For example,
the actuator 108 can be coupled to the first sleeve 112 at the
first end 104 via an actuator end cover 120. However, although the
actuator 108 is illustrated on the first end 104 in FIG. 1, it is
contemplated that the actuator 108 may be positioned on either end
of the control valve assembly 100. The actuator 108 can be coupled
to the internal ball valves through the actuator end cover 120, and
operates to rotate the ball valves to align the apertures of the
ball valves with particular ports 116. That is, a motor (not shown)
can drive the actuator 108 to rotate the ball valves about a valve
axis 122 within the sleeves 112, 114. It is contemplated that the
actuator 108 is connected to each of the ball valves in any
conventional manner. For example, in some embodiments, a rod may
extend through each of the ball valves and connect with the
actuator 108. In alternative embodiments, all of the ball valves
may be attached to each other such that the actuator 108 only needs
to turn one of the ball valves to rotate all of the ball valves.
Furthermore, any type of motor or device may be used to drive the
actuator 108, such as a DC motor, a wax motor, a vacuum motor,
etc.
[0024] A valve control (not shown) can operate the motor and, thus,
the actuator 108, to rotate the ball valves to a specific position
so that, one or more ports 116 (such as inlet ports) are fluidly
connected to one or more other ports 116 (such as outlet ports).
The ports 116 can be further fluidly connected to various
components within the vehicle system. As a result, by orienting the
ball valves in a specific position via the actuator 108, the
control valve assembly 100 can control fluid flow to and from the
various components of the vehicle.
[0025] If the valve control fails, such as due to power loss,
signal loss, or actuator failure, or another reason, it would be
desirable to position the valve assembly 100 to a default position.
That is, in the event of valve control failure, it would be
desirable to position the ball valves within the valve assembly 100
to a default position so that fluid flow is maintained between
certain connected components.
[0026] Accordingly, FIGS. 2-10 illustrate a valve assembly failsafe
130 according to some embodiments. Generally, the valve assembly
failsafe 130 can be coupled to the control valve assembly 100 and,
when provided with a signal indicative of valve control failure,
can automatically rotate the valve control assembly 100 to the
default position. That is, in some embodiments, the valve assembly
failsafe 130 can be a "bolt-on" device with an electrical connector
that can receive a signal indicative of valve control failure, and
a drive piece that engages drive features of the actuator 108 to
set the control valve assembly 100 to the default position when
such a signal is received.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the valve assembly failsafe 130 can
include a housing 132, a wind arm 134, a spring 136, a wind arm
bearing 138 (see FIG. 3), a latch 140 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), a latch
pin 142, a drive gear 144 (see FIGS. 2, 3, and 5), a drive gear
bushing 146 (see FIG. 3), and a wax driver 148 (see FIGS. 2-5). The
valve assembly failsafe 130 and, more specifically, the housing
132, can be coupled to (e.g., bolted onto) the actuator 108 and/or
the actuator end cover 120 via one or more fasteners 150, such as
bolts, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The valve assembly failsafe 130
can generally cover the actuator 108 so that the drive gear 144
engages a drive interface 152 of the actuator 108 (see FIG. 5).
[0028] As such, the housing 132 can generally hold the other
components of the valve assembly failsafe 130 and permits mounting
of the valve assembly failsafe 130 to the actuator 108.
[0029] Turning to FIGS. 2 and 3, the wind arm 134 engages the
spring 136, which can provide drive power to rotate the actuator
108 and the valve assembly 100 to the default position. For
example, when the wind arm 134 is released, the spring rotates the
wind arm 134 when in a "tripped" or "failsafe" mode where it can
rotate the actuator 108 and, thus, the valve assembly, to the
default position. The wind arm bearing 138 can support a spring end
of the wind arm 134. The latch 140 can hold the wind arm 134 in
place in a "set" mode, and can release the wind arm 134 into the
tripped mode. The latch pin 142 can support the latch 140 so that
the latch 140 pivots about the latch pin 142.
[0030] As noted above, and as shown in FIG. 5, the drive gear 144
interfaces with the actuator drive interface 152. With reference
again to FIGS. 2 and 3, the drive gear 144 can further be engaged
with the wind arm 134 and, as discussed further below, can rotate
with the actuator 108 when the valve assembly failsafe 130 is in
the set mode, and drive the actuator 108 when the valve assembly
failsafe 130 is in the tripped mode (e.g., to the default
position). The drive gear bushing 146 can support the drive gear
144 on the wind arm 134 (see FIG. 3). The wax driver 148 can trip
the latch 140 to release the wind arm 134 into the tripped mode.
Furthermore, the wax driver 148 can include an electrical connector
154, for example, that can be coupled to the valve control or
another component to receive an electric signal indicative of valve
control failure.
[0031] During normal operation of the control valve assembly 100,
the valve assembly failsafe 130 can be in the set mode. In the set
mode, the spring 136 has been tightened by winding the wind arm 134
until the wind arm 134 engages with the latch 140. More
specifically, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, when in the set mode, the
wind arm 134 is wound to a position so that it is positioned
adjacent and viewable through a first aperture 156 in the housing
132. As a result, in this set mode, the wind arm 134 is under
spring tension but held in place by the latch 140. Furthermore, in
this set mode, the drive gear 144 does not engage the wind arm 134
and is free to rotate with the actuator 108. That is, as shown in
FIGS. 8 and 9, the drive gear 144 can include notch 168 (indicated
at arrow 158) that does not engage the wind arm 134 while in the
set mode. As a result, the drive gear 144 may be free to rotate,
for example, to a first position shown in FIG. 8 and a second
position shown in FIG. 9, as the actuator 108 moves to such
positions, while the notch 168 remains disengaged from the wind arm
134.
[0032] Turning to FIGS. 10A-10D, upon a failure condition, an
electric signal (e.g., current) is sent to the wax driver 148. The
wax driver may comprise a heating element, which heats the wax of
the wax driver upon reception of the electronic signal. This causes
wax of the wax driver 148 to heat and, in turn, reversibly expand.
Put another way, when the wax of the wax driver 148 is heated, the
wax expands. However, when the wax cools the wax contracts back to
substantially the same size and shape as before it was heated. In
an embodiment, the wax of the wax driver 148 remains substantially
unmelted during and after heating. When the wax expands, a pin 160
of the wax driver 148 is driven from a first position, shown in
FIG. 10A (while in a set mode) outward to a second position shown
in FIG. 10B (triggering the tripped mode). As the pin 160 extends
outward, it pushes on the latch 140, causing the latch 140 to
rotate. As shown in FIG. 10B, when the latch 140 rotates, it
releases the wind arm 134. The released wind arm 134, under spring
tension, then rotates until it makes contact with the drive gear
144 (e.g., a portion of the wind arm 134 makes contact with the
notch 168, as indicated by arrow 158 in FIGS. 10A-10C, of the drive
gear 144). When the wind arm 134 contacts the drive gear 144, it
continues to rotate (i.e., due to spring tension) and, as a result,
communicates spring tension to the drive gear 144 and rotates the
drive gear 144 which, in turn, communicates spring tension to the
actuator 108 and rotates the actuator 108 and the ball valves. The
wind arm 134 may continue to rotate until spring tension is
released, at which point the wind arm 134 and, in turn, the drive
gear 144 and the actuator 108, are at the default position, as
shown in FIGS. 10C and 10D. Alternatively, the coolant control
regulator assembly may have an internal hard-stop that is
configured to place the coolant control regulator assembly in the
default position, and the wind arm 134 may continue to rotate until
the actuator 108 encounters the hard-stop. Furthermore, as shown in
FIGS. 10C and 10D, when the wind arm 134 reaches the default
position, the wind arm 134 is adjacent and viewable through a
second aperture 162 of the housing 132.
[0033] When the vehicle has been repaired or serviced so that the
valve control assembly may be used again outside of the default
position, the valve failsafe 130 can be reset. More specifically,
as shown in FIG. 11, the wind arm 134 includes a portion that can
be engaged from outside the housing 132 through a reset aperture
164 (said portion of the wind arm 134 being referred to as a reset
interface), e.g., via a tool 166 such as a screwdriver. The tool
can engage the reset interface of the wind arm 134 to rotate the
wind arm 134 back to the set position, thus again placing the wind
arm 134 under spring tension and engaged with the latch. For
example, a user can engage the wind arm 134 with the tool and
rotate the wind arm 134 so that it is again viewable through the
first aperture. In some embodiments, by rotating the wind arm 134
back in place to the set mode, the pin of the wax driver can be
forced back inward so that it no longer pushes against the latch.
Alternatively, in some embodiments, the wax driver may be
replaced.
[0034] While various spatial and directional terms, such as top,
bottom, lower, mid, lateral, horizontal, vertical, front, rear, and
the like may be used to describe embodiments of the present
disclosure, it is understood that such terms are merely used with
respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations
may be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed, such that an upper
portion is a lower portion, and vice versa, horizontal becomes
vertical, and the like.
[0035] Variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the
scope of the present disclosure. It is understood that the
embodiments disclosed and defined herein extend to all alternative
combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or
evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different
combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present
disclosure. The embodiments described herein explain how to
practice the disclosure and will enable others skilled in the art
to utilize the disclosure. The claims are to be construed to
include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the
prior art.
[0036] As noted previously, it will be appreciated by those skilled
in the art that while the invention has been described above in
connection with particular embodiments and examples, the invention
is not necessarily so limited, and that numerous other embodiments,
examples, uses, modifications and departures from the embodiments,
examples and uses are intended to be encompassed by the claims
attached hereto. The entire disclosure of each patent and
publication cited herein is incorporated by reference, as if each
such patent or publication were individually incorporated by
reference herein.
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